Russia calls Microsoft's hacking allegations a "witch-hunt"

MOSCOW, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced as a “witch-hunt” accusations put forward by Microsoft Corp over alleged attempts by hackers linked to Russia’s government to launch cyber attacks on U.S. institutions.

“It is regrettable that a large international company, which has been working in the Russian market for a long time, quite actively and successfully has to take part in a witch-hunt that has engulfed Washington,” the ministry said in a statement.

Microsoft said that hackers linked to Russia’s government tried to carry out cyber attacks on the U.S. Senate and conservative American think-tanks. It accused Moscow of broadening attacks ahead of November’s U.S. congressional elections. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin Editing by Mark Heinrich)